Thailand to Send Request for Procurement of Orlan Drones from Russia

A deputy director of Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation said that after presenting a domestically built unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) Orlan to Thailand, Russia expects that Bangkok will send a request for its possible procurement.

LANGKAWI (Malaysia) (Sputnik) – After presenting a domestically built unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) Orlan to Thailand, Russia expects that Bangkok will send a request for its possible procurement, Mikhail Petukhov, a deputy director of Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC), told Sputnik.

“The presentation of the reconnaissance UAV Orlan for Thailand took place in 2015. The discussion of potential cooperation in this sphere is possible after our partners send us an official request,” Petukhov said.

Petukhov is currently heading the Russian delegation at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition LIMA-2017.

The annual LIMA, which this year began on March 21, is taking place in Malaysia’s Langkawi resort. The event will feature a presentation of Russian fighter jets, submarines and amphibious aircraft. LIMA is the largest exhibition, which will conclude on March 25, in the Asia Pacific region and accounts for 45 percent of Russian military equipment sales.

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Orlan-10 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

It is intended for a variety of missions including aerial reconnaissance, observation, monitoring, search and rescue, combat training, jamming, detection of radio signals, and target tracking.

The export variant, designated Orlan-10E, was exhibited at the 19th International Air and Space Fair (FIDAE) held in March 2016. Rosoboronexport announced its plans to promote the Orlan-10E UAV to foreign countries in June 2016.

Payloads

The UAV’s modular design is provided with a number of interchangeable payloads allowing for greater mission flexibility.

It carries a day-light camera, a thermal imaging camera, a video camera and a radio transmitter in a gyro-stabilised camera pod that is fitted under the fuselage. The cameras provide real-time intelligence, 3D maps, surveillance, and aerial reconnaissance of ground-based targets.

The imagery, video and other sensor data collected by the payloads is transmitted to the ground control station in real-time, through a data link.

Command and control modes

The Orlan-10 can execute missions in both autonomous and remote control modes. An autopilot aboard the drone enables it to operate autonomously based on pre-defined waypoints. In this mode, the flight path can be modified by the operator during the flight.

The drone can be remotely operated by its associated ground control station, installed on MP32M1 command and control vehicle. Developed by Russian state-owned Roselectronika, the ground segment can control up to four aerial vehicles simultaneously.

In the remote control mode, operator at the mobile ground segment sends command and control data to the drone through the digital data link.

Orlan-10 UAV propulsion and performance

The Orlan-10 is powered by an internal combustion engine, driving a two-blade propeller mounted in the nose.

The drone can transmit telemetry data to a range between 120km and 600km from the launch station and endure for approximately 18 hours. Its cruising and maximum speeds are 110km/h and 150km/h respectively.

The UAV can fly at a maximum altitude of 5km in all weather conditions in difficult terrains. It can withstand wind speeds of 10m/s and operate in temperatures ranging from -30°C to 40°C.

Unified Command-staff vehicle (UKSHM) MP32M1

Image: bastion-opk.ru

Main Tasks:

to collect, process and transfer to higher units on the status of data management, security status and subordinate units;

reception and transmission of formation of combat teams for the preparation and application of fire strikes subordinate control links and reporting on the implementation of tasks in an higher command posts;

collection, processing, and display on the digital map information on the preparation and execution of tasks;

documentation of input and output information;

education and training of crews. It provides for delivery of the training options (classroom) CSV MP32M in a stationary version with imitators of information interaction of combat weapons and radar reconnaissance.

ORLAN-10 UAVS IN ACTION AGAINST UKRAINIAN ARTILLERY

Excerpt

The Special Technology Center of the Mikhailovo Artillery Military Academy made public materials concerning the experimental reconnaissance-strike complex consisting of Orlan-10 UAVs and a battalion of self-propelled 2S1 Gvozdika 122mm howitzers, and the effects of its use on the Donbass.

The materials refer to events which Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council Secretary Turchinov referred to, during June 2, 2016 visit to a National Guard training facility, in the following manner: “May was for us a “black month”, because during that month we suffered the heaviest losses in an entire year. We lost very many heroes, many others were wounded.”

Turchinov also issued the standard accusations, to wit: “Russian-terrorist forces are using weapons prohibited by the Minsk Agreements in order to accurately strike our positions. It’s not just a matter of an increased number of bombardments. These are very accurate strikes, which rely on modern target acquisition and fire correction systems. ” We should note, however, that the Orlan-2S1 combo destroyed similar “weapons prohibited by Minsk agreements,” which was also about to be used “using modern target acquisition and fire correction systems,” provided by Ukraine by the US.

According to the report, 4 US AN/TPQ-48 counter-battery radars were destroyed. Two additional such radars were lost in sector S during the destruction of the Debaltsevo cauldron, according to uncovered Ukrainian military staff documents.

The AN-TPQ-48 located in a single-story house, was destroyed together with the house and highly trained personnel operating the radar. This mission was accomplished using only 38 shells, instead of the 300 specified by artillery fire norms.

Immediately after these losses, Ukrainian authorities immediately requested additional deliveries of such radars, which Poroshenko announced during a press conference on June 3: “Russia turned Ukraine’s East into a training ground for testing its newest weapons, electronic warfare systems, communications, but Ukrainian forces, with the help of its partners, have already learned how to combat them and are capable of repelling any possible offensive operations. Ukraine has strengthened its reconnaissance, its protective measures, and equipment strength.”

On July 2, Poroshenko personally greeted a new batch of counter-battery radars received by Ukraine from the US. During the transfer ceremony at the Borispol airport, he said: “Today we are receiving counter-battery systems as US military aid. This batch is only part of Washington’s aid intended to strengthen Ukraine’s ability to defend itself.” He added that the counter-battery systems, valued at $335 million, are only part of the assistance the US plans to provide Ukraine.

The Orlan-2S1 reconnaissance-strike complex also suppressed 3 company positions, eliminating at least 30% of personnel and equipment located at these sites, destroyed 3 Tochka-U short-range ballistic missile launchers, at least 17 tracked and 20 wheeled vehicles, two 2A36 152mm cannon, at least 3 82mm mortars, and an artillery ammunition storage. Ukrainian forces lost at least 90 killed and 220 wounded, numbers which were confirmed by the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission.

A screenshot from video sent by an Orlan-10. Ukrainian equipment and troops are, typically, located in the midst of civilian dwellings. Source southfront.org